Voices of Elk Grove - Rural Resident Says They Never Had Drainage Problems, "Now We're Flooded"
"We've never had an issue with drainage from that property before, now we are flooded"
During the Wednesday, January 28, 2026, Elk Grove City Council meeting, a rural-area resident shared concerns about flooding at their residence caused by an inadequate drainage plan (see first video below).
In her comments, Ms. Carolyn Soares said she sent photos to the city documents team regarding the issue. Soares noted that, while the nearby project causing the flood was under the city's review, her and others' concerns were not addressed.
"The developer guaranteed that we would have less drainage on our property, or surrounding parcels, with this development than before," Soares told the Mayor and City Council. "We've never had an issue with drainage from that property before, now we are flooded."
That project, the Pleasant Grove Estates Project on Pleasant Grove School Road, generated extensive public comment at two 2023 Elk Grove City Council meetings. Those two meetings were held on April 26 and May 24.
Approximately 31 acres were rezoned from a minimum of five to two acres. Also, the developers were allowed to remove several heritage trees for the subdivision of 14 parcels.
Most comments about the project expressed concern about drainage issues and the risk of flooding for nearby residences. The city planners and engineers gave their approval of the project, and the City Council unanimously approved it, notwithstanding a tongue-lashing directed at the developer from Councilman Kevin Spease.
Carolyn and Rick Soares made public comments at the April 26,20023 meeting (see second video below). While they discussed flooding concerns, the Soares and others also noted that the project is shifting the rural area from agricultural-residential to estate housing.
